If you are eating a healthy diet and exercising, and are STILL not able to lose weight or are gaining, it may not be your fault.  According to current estimates, at least 25% of adults and 1 in 8 children have "metabolic syndrome". Overeating and inactivity are the main culprits. Metabolic syndrome is caused by the body's inability to use insulin efficiently, and the hallmark of the condition is an excess of abdominal fat. Patients also have two or more related conditions, including high blood pressure, low levels of good cholesterol, high levels of fats called triglycerides, and high blood sugar. Many have diabetes already, or will have it in their future.

A recent report by one of the country's largest prescription benefits managers, Medco Health Solutions, found that metabolic syndrome accounts for $4 of every $10 spent on prescription drugs for adults.

The syndrome was once called Syndrome X and was first recognized about 40 years ago. But, the term "metabolic syndrome" was not widely used until the past decade. The first international symposium on the syndrome was held in April 2005 in Berlin.

New guidelines from the International Diabetes Federation are being reviewed by health agencies worldwide to standardize the criteria for diagnosing the condition and to help family doctors to spot the syndrome and begin treatment early.

Which Weight Loss Programs Can Help

Many people have minor (or major) medical conditions, and can still take part in a weight loss program, if supervised closely. However, the staff, even if it is a nurse or doctor on staff at a weight loss company, may not detect metabolic syndrome. It's probably advisable to get some tests done by your family physician first, to determine if you have it. Then, think about using a medically supervised weight loss program. Obviously, a rapid weight loss diet, fad diet or celebrity of the month diet may not be the best choice here. A do-it-yourself diet plan may not be appropriate also.

Of the 19,300+ people completing an extensive BestDietForMe.com survey between January 1 and March 30, 2005, a significant number indicated that they have one or multiple medical conditions. High blood pressure is the leading condition, experienced by 13% of our survey takers, followed by migraines at 6.9%, thyroid disease and asthma at 6.0%. Diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome came in at just under 4%, and heart disease by 1%.

Traditionally, doctors have not had the time to counsel their patients in depth about losing weight. And, the psychological/emotional issues related to obesity, which are crucial, are not usually handled by busy MDs. Will doctors, increasingly squeezed by managed care and growing caseloads under HMOs, have the time to spot metabolic syndrome? That remains to be seen. However, it might not be a bad idea to ask your physician to do some tests if you suspect it, in BestDietForMe.com's opinion.

BestDietForMe.com does NOT provide medical advice. You should always consult your physician first, before beginning any weight loss regimen.

The Medibase plan is geared to registered dietitians, in conjunction with MDs. Advanced Healthcare also claimed that it was one of the few companies other than OPTIFAST^® (Novartis Nutrition) that conducted serious research that is published. They perform substantial research with Type II diabetics.

Bariatricians... One main advantage for overweight persons to see a bariatrician, instead of a commercial program, is that obese persons may have other medical problems they don't know exist (i.e. diabetes), which are discovered by the bariatrician. More extensive medical monitoring, long-term support, alternative medication therapies, and partial reimbursement by medical insurance are other advantages.

Registered Dietitians... RDs often see clients that need dietary help with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and a variety of other medical conditions. Most RDs work with medical doctors and because of this they are able to provide their clients with prescription medicine if they and the doctor feel it is necessary.

Some physicians have developed their own programs, based on nutritional counseling, possibly in conjunction with a local registered dietitian or nutritionist, or a local health club or fitness center. Still others have obtained training and certification to practice bariatrics, whereby they may use a VLCD (very low calorie diet) and/or prescription drugs to suppress the appetite.

Some Helpful Medical Resources

- WebMd

- drkoop.com

- American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)

- National Institutes of Health (ww.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus)